101 Real Estate Agent Tax Deductions

There are a lot of tax deductions Real Estate Agents are not using as tax write-offs. It's important to remember that anything you spend money on for your business as a Real Estate Agent can potentially be used as a tax write-off. Tax laws change often, so whether you're doing your own taxes or using a Certified Public Accountant you'll want to ensure you're using the correct write-offs.

We put together this checklist or cheat-sheet to help Real Estate Agents with their Tax Deductions.

Advertising

• Billboard
• Brochures/Flyers
• Business Cards
• Copy Editor Fees
• Direct Mail
• Email Marketing/Newsletters
• Graphic Designer Fees
• Internet Ads (Facebook, Google, Etc)
• Leads/Mailing Lists
• Marketing Services
• Networking Events Expenses
• Postcards
• Print Ads, Newspapers, Magazines
• Promotional Marketing
• Radio Ads
• Signage/Banners
• Television Ads
• Web Design
• Web Hosting & Domain Fees

Agent Improvement

• Books (Sales Books, Real Estate Books, Etc)
• Continuing Education
• Magazine Subscription
• Newsletter Subscriptions
• Sales Training/Coaching
• Seminars
• Textbooks/Reference Books
• Trade Publication

Auto

• Business Mileage
• Parking
• Tolls
• Actual Auto Expenses
• Car Washes
• Depreciation/Lease Payments
• Gas
• Insurance
• Interest
• Licenses/Registration
• Maintenance
• Repairs
• Tires

Business Travel

• Airfare
• Car Rental
• Dry Cleaning/Laundry
• Lodging
• Meals
• Parking/Tolls
• Taxi, Train, Subway, Bus
• Tips

Communications

• Answering Services
• Cell Phone Service
• Fax Expenses/Efax
• Interactive Voice Response (VR)
• Internet Service
• Office Telephone/VOIP
• Toll-Free Number

Equipment

• Briefcase
• Calculator
• Camera/Lenses
• Cell Phone/Smart Phone
• Cleaning Equipment (Vacuum)
• Computer
• Equipment Repair
• Flashlight
• GPS
• Hard Drive/Thumb Drive
• iPad, Tablet, PC, Android
• Laptop
• Lock Boxes/Lock Smith/Keys
• Maps
• Printer
• Scanner
• Staging Items Furniture
• Tape Measure
• Video Camera

Employee Wages

• Clerical Support
• Family Members (Kids/Spouse)
• Payroll Unemployment Taxes
• Sales Assistant
• Virtual Assistant

Health Insurance/Home Office

• Insurance
• Mortgage Interest/Rent
• Property Taxes
• Repairs/Maintenance
• Security System
• Utilities

Office Expenses

• Desk Fees
• Client Refreshments (coffee, water, soda)
• Copier Fees
• Janitorial Expenses
• Bookshelves
• Chair
• Desk
• Filing Cabinets
• Envelopes
• Folders
• Paper
• Pens
• Postage
• Stationery
• Printer Ink
• Office Rent
• Online Storage of Business Files
• Software Services

Professional Fees

• NAR
• NAREB
• CREA
• NAIREB
• NAEBA
• Chamber of Commerce
• Bank Fees
• Bookkeeping Fees
• Business Licenses
• E&O Insurance
• Franchise/Affiliation Fees
• Interest on Business Purchase
• Legal Fees
• MLS Fees
• Tax Prep Fees

Retirement

• Defined Benefit Plan
• Self Employment Pensions(SEP)
• Simple IRA
• Solo 401k

Selling Expenses

• Appraisal Fees
• CL100 Fees
• Client Gifts
• Closing Attorney Fees
• Concessions
• Courier Service/Delivery Fees
• Finder Fees/Referral Fees
• Home Repairs to Sell Listed Property
• Home Warranty
• Inspection Fees
• Notary Fees
• Open House Expenses
• Photo Editing
• Staging Fees

Start-Up Expenses

• Costs Incurred Before Going Into Business
• Organizational Costs

Always Consult With a Licensed Tax Professional!